By Blame months of a largely foundation-free quarantine or weather that’s turned hot enough to make layers of base feel particularly stifling, but either way, the last thing we want to reach for right now is a full-fledged foundation.
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Luckily, there are a whole new crop of hybrid skin care products that provide the coverage and glow of a foundation, along with the skin care benefits of a serum or hydrating oil. Expert acne scar-erasing pigments that also happen to deliver hydration and antioxidants? Invisibility cloaks for redness that pack collagen-supporting ingredients and SPF? Find the genius skin care-meets-makeup multitaskers, ahead.
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Image via Imaxtree
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SEE NEXT PAGE: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare, $39.50″,”It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare, $39.50
It Cosmetics is known for skin care-infused formulations made in extensive shade ranges, so we weren’t exactly shocked when the brand launched its latest foundation, which comes in 40 shades and boasts hyaluronic acid for bounce, aloe vera (which helps usher oxygen to the tissues), skin-smoothing vitamins B5 and E, and a proprietary ingredient that exfoliates.
But what we weren’t expecting was the ultra-natural finish it provides and its incomparable ease of use: While traditional foundations typically use a white base, this one is clear, which means it doesn’t leave a white cast on skin. In our tests, the lightweight formula obliterated redness around our nose and easily covered a few acne scars, but felt and looked like we were makeup-free (and blessed with great skin). Even when we haphazardly rubbed the liquid formula on with fingers with no primer underneath, it seamlessly blended and left a not-too-dewy, not-at-all matte finish that mimics bare skin in the very best way.
SEE NEXT PAGE: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, $46″,”Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, $46
This skin care-makeup hybrid is the real deal: With anti-inflammatory niacinamide, moisturizing bisabolol, aloe leaf juice powder, and two types of skin-plumping sodium hyaluronate, it doubles as a soothing serum for those with sensitive skin. (Since sodium hyaluronate can exasperate dry skin, this formula may be best suited for oily or balanced skin types.)
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As a skin perfector, the tint (made in 18 shades) easily covered redness and dark spots, leaving a gorgeously dewy finish. The formula is more viscous than those from The Ordinary and Kosas (mentioned ahead), and it feels sheer enough to forget you’re wearing makeup at all once blended into the skin.
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Natura Bisse Diamond Cocoon Sheer Cream, $225″,”Natura Bisse Diamond Cocoon Sheer Cream, $225
When Natura Bisse discontinued its widely-loved The Cure Sheer Cream, it was a blow felt around the world. Where else would we find a moisturizer that quenched dry skin, blotted out redness and dark spots and delivered the perfect dose of tint and warmth that adapted to a range of light and medium skin tones? Where?
Thankfully, we weren’t left in the lurch for long. With the launch of this moisturizer, we score the same healthy glow as we did with the old formula (courtesy of light-reflecting pigments), as well as the same major hit of hydration. A thicker texture means a little goes a long way for a no-makeup makeup look, but it can also be applied more generously for buildable coverage.
SEE NEXT PAGE: Iris & Romeo Best Skin Days, $64″,”Iris & Romeo Best Skin Days, $64
This tinted moisturizer is basically an entire skin care routine in an adorable little pot: With collagen-supporting ingredients like Bulgarian rose extract, moisturizers like Bulgarian rose and moringa oils and skin soothers like rose flower water, green tea and coconut water (along with 18.9 percent non-nano zinc oxide) this multitasker is made to take the place of your AM serum, moisturizer, mineral SPF, and light-coverage makeup. The bouncy, pudding-like texture is made to be applied with fingers and leaves our skin with a healthy finish that reads like an all-natural glow.
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Dior Diorskin Nude Air Serum, $53″,”Dior Diorskin Nude Air Serum, $53
For those who hate the feel of a face oil, finding a serum-foundation that doesn’t feel greasy can be a challenge. The antioxidant-packed cranberry seed oil found in this foundation instantly evaporates, morphing into a powder-like texture when smoothed onto the face, something that finishes in a demi-matte glow — no setting powder required.
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Stila One Step Correct Kitten Skin Tone Correcting & Brightening Primer, $36″,”Stila One Step Correct Kitten Skin Tone Correcting & Brightening Primer, $36
Thank color theory and a helix of green, lavender and peach for this primer’s ability to conceal ruddy, sallow, and hyperpigmented skin. But what makes this new take on a Stila classic even more illuminating is the inclusion of a low-key champagne shimmer (in the brand’s hero shade, “Kitten”).
Meanwhile, it packs legit skin care benefits too: inside the oil-free formulation is a blend of 50 percent mineral water and 15 vitamins, minerals and antioxidants help skin feel bouncy, not greasy. Two pumps made our skin feel hydrated and look evenly-toned with a touch of warmth, which is everything we want makeup to do — without the makeup.
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SEE NEXT PAGE: The Ordinary Serum Foundation, $7.20″,”The Ordinary Serum Foundation, $7.20
This oil-free foundation isn’t made with as many serum-like, skin-benefiting ingredients as some of the others we tried (vitamin E and hydrating emollients are standouts). But the ultra-thin, yet silky liquid blends easily to erase hyperpigmentation and cover acne scars, with zero caking whatsoever. Even more impressive: like prestige formulations, it leaves a demi-matte finish that convincingly mimics natural skin… but costs less than a month’s subscription of Netflix.
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Thrive Causemetics Buildable Blur CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35, $38″,”Thrive Causemetics Buildable Blur CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35, $38
There’s a lot to like about this vegan multitasker (which is available in 18 shades). It single-handedly a) offers broad-spectrum UV protection like a stand-alone sunscreen b) blurs the look of large pores like a primer c) brightens the under eyes and spot-corrects like a concealer and d) provides buildable overall coverage like a foundation.
A little goes a long way to cover imperfections, but no matter how much we apply, it doesn’t settle into fine lines or feel heavy. Maybe it’s because of the choice of skin care ingredients packed inside, like vitamin C, vitamin E, glycerin and flax seed extract? Either way, it’s become our one-and-done summer staple.
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Colorescience Even Up Clinical Pigment Perfector SPF 50, $125″,”Colorescience Even Up Clinical Pigment Perfector SPF 50, $125
What makes a makeup-skin care hybrid worth more than a $100 price tag? Start with a formula boasting vitamin C and clinically-tested proprietary ingredients shown to treat hyperpigmentation while preventing new melanocytes in the skin from forming. Add mineral SPF 50 protection that doesn’t leave a cast on skin, then top it off with an elegant whipped texture that covers acne scars and redness and leaves a natural-looking demi-matte finish… and you have your answer.
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Code8 Radiate Beauty Balm, $50″,”Code8 Radiate Beauty Balm, $50
A sheer application of this velvety balm leaves your skin looking just like it does bare — minus the redness and acne scars, of course. The formula evens skin tone but leaves such a natural finish — you know, not too matte or shiny and poreless like a Barbie doll — all while hydrating skin, thanks to the pectin and argan seed oil in the formula.
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Butter London LumiMatte Blurring Skin Tint, $28″,”Butter London LumiMatte Blurring Skin Tint, $28
Products with a “dewy” or “glassy” finish are nice in concept… but in practice, they often result in a greasy-looking shine. This vegan, oil-free formula, deleted out shine around our chin, nose and forehead and left a lit-from-within glow (that we certainly didn’t wake up with).
We found the whipped, cream-to-powder makeup to be equally effective at camouflaging redness and acne scars as at treating the skin: Among its ingredients are antioxidant-rich and skin-calming pea extract, vitamin E, along with ingredients to encourage moisture retention.
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Kosas Tinted Face Oil, $42″,”Kosas Tinted Face Oil, $42
Sure, the likes of Natalia Dyer, Kaitlyn Dever and The Jonas Brothers have all worn this skin care-makeup hybrid on the red carpet. But the oil foundation (available in 16 shades) is so easy to apply, those of us without makeup artists can glean the same camera-ready complexions in seconds.
The lightweight oil absorbs quickly and covers evenly when pressed into the skin — no blending tools required. What’s more, with moisturizing avocado and meadowfoam; soothing red raspberry and jojoba; and brightening camellia and rosehip oils inside, it’s a great pick for those with dry skin.
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Han Skincare Cosmetics Serum CC with SPF 30+, $32″,”Han Skincare Cosmetics Serum CC with SPF 30+, $32
You know how botanically-driven skin care products tend to smell amazing? Well, this makeup hybrid’s got you covered. This new vegan launch acts like a classic foundation (stamping out redness and hyperpigmentation while leaving a luminous finish), but carries the kind of heavenly lavender scent usually reserved for luxury face oils. Maybe that’s because spa-worthy ingredients are in its DNA; including jojoba, rosehip and vitamin E oils, shea butter, aloe leaf juice and skin-brightening malic acid.
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